J.Marco Johnson is an Upstate NY-based singer-songwriter. Born and raised by parents Mark and Gina Johnson in Amsterdam, NY, J.Marco grew up with only one thing on his mind—sports…and food.(Mark being a former college basketball player and Gina, a former and current, chef extraordinaire). While delicious meals were always a constant, an early love for basketball in particular translated into a decorated basketball career ending with an experience as a walk-on at NCAA Division I, Siena College.
 

It was early during his college years that J.Marco realized and embraced his true passion—music—and specifically, guitar. “There was something about the guitar that always fascinated me. Coming from a ‘non-musical background’, I didn’t understand how a guitar could be played to make the sounds that it did. My long-time friend Tim started playing when we were in our teens and even up close, it didn’t make sense to me for the longest time.”

As goes the same for many beginner guitar players, it was not love at first play. There was both physical and mental pain. Bruised and bloodied fingers, along with a bruised and bloodied ego. 'Unplayed' for a year, into the closet the guitar went.

Fast forward years ahead -- An influential John Mayer album called 'Continuum' and some hard calloused fingers later, J.Marco hasn't put a guitar down since.

“I still don’t really consider myself a musician in the professional sense of the word. There are times I don’t know what I’m playing technically, but I just feel it and play it. So I do apologize to the technical players out there. I’m definitely still learning.. That’s probably cliché, but yeah, I’m very much still in the beginning stages of this journey. But it’s a whole lot of fun.”

Joining J.Marco on stage is a literal band of brothers—his brothers Antonio(cajon) and Dino(rhythm); along with his brothers from other mothers—Jim Natole(bass) and Dave Tokarowski(drums). And out in the crowd you can find his supportive and beautiful wife—(and inspiration for some of his songs)—Stefanie; his incredible and loving sister, Cristiana, along with many supportive family members, friends and fans.